The Darkness is NOT a normal game

In The Darkness, you play as Squidward Tentacles on a quest to do a melee takedown animation on every mobster/cop in New York City. But watch out for copyrighted shows playing on the TVs!
This video was recorded live at / oboeshoesgames
Shoutout to the Patrons / oboeshoesgames

[@jonbaxter2254]

For such an edgy, dark game, it had a genuinely sweet romance and quite a shocking turn near the end. Sequel is great too, but I don't think we'll ever get a completion to the story.

[@DCGMatthew1]

If you read the comics you'll get what they probably would've went with for the third game. I still have some hope that they may make a third one though, I remember they had a disc that said The Darkness 3 during an Xbox event once, though that was around 3 years ago now.

[@keithmitchellmusic8121]

Sequels hot garbage

[@crawlingchaos2811]

i dont like 2, but yes Darkness is literally one of my faves. I don't care that it's edgy, edgy should exist so it can produce good things now and then.

[@TwistedExisted894]

I think that's the bitter sweet part of it. All this were we just suffer more for being in love

[@Immolator772]

i wouldn't call it edgy really.

[@codysullivan2531]

The Darkness has a WW1 segment because Jackie's grandfather willingly gave into the curse to protect himself in WW1. Which later allowed the Darkness to manifest in Jackie proper. Honestly, I wish this had appeared in the sequel instead of the mental institution.

[@fishdish9835]

I am pretty sure the reason why it was a mental institution was because in the first game Jackie clearly wouldn't be stopped. He learned so much in the time he was in those WW! sequences that it was clear he could do serious harm to the Darkness. The mental institution was an attempt to appeal to his humanity, a distraction so he wouldn't cause any more problems.

[@codysullivan2531]

@@fishdish9835 I think you have the best theory as to why The Darkness placed him in a mental institution.

[@fishdish9835]

@@codysullivan2531 Thankyou. :>

[@abeish03]

One of my favorite games. I liked that they made you navigate the subway on your own, that the first act ends with the death of the only person Jackie cares about, and his story ends with him giving in to the darkness.

[@angeloperri1128]

God, spoiler alert man. How dare you talk about the plot of a decade old game

[@jmz2144]

Reminded me of the Riddick games

[@TheMeanArena]

@@jmz2144 Same developers, Starbreeze.

[@tuptm42]

Shit man I been spoiled and I got that game but never finished

[@abeish03]

@@tuptm42 it's still just as good to go through it knowing the story beats

[@jnickbrown1997]

The only thing I knew about this game was that you could watch To Kill a Mockingbird on the TV in its entirety. Great vid!

[@nobodylolz77]

There was also the whole flash Gordon serial on the tvs

[@jnickbrown1997]

@@nobodylolz77 didn't know that!

[@videogamer4500]

More importantly you can watch the entirety of the street fight

[@JinKee]

I'd watch the whole thing to just make sure she would live for a little more time.

[@NoExplosionsMcgee]

If I remember correctly, you had to buy the PS3 version in order to watch every movie in the game in their entirety because the 360 version didn't have enough space on the disc to store them all in their completed forms. The 360 version only allowed you to watch parts of those movies because of this. It was one of the perks of having the game on Blu-Ray instead of DVD at the time.

[@awesometwitchy]

0:35 That hidden laugh because of the NPC that ragdolled in the background is a wonderful indication that these videos aren't always scripted, and the real fun is in trying to figure out when they are.

[@takethebaitmate1920]

Allah loves you

[@mister-pinkman]

This game isn’t mediocre it’s genuinely great. The gunplay is outdated but the impact of it still feels satisfying, and the overall tone of NYC is nailed perfectly.

[@Spencerkill66]

nah

[@Spencerkill66]

nah

[@Lumpycheeses]

Darkness was a very fun game. I remember being happy to see the darkness monsters bite at each other when idle.

[@loafofbeans8291]

this is genuinely my favourite game of all time

[@Revanchist]

Wtf bruh

[@loafofbeans8291]

@@Revanchist what?

[@TheVintress]

have you played more than 2 games in your life?

[@loafofbeans8291]

@@TheVintress yeah, i just love this game tho

[@jackmesrel4933]

I get ya, everybody has that game, a game which doesn't have the best gameplay or the cooler graphics, but it has something that makes you become infatuated with it. In my case it's Solatorobo: Red the Hunter, a ds game that I replay yearly cus the story touches my heart in a way not many games have.

[@pajamapantsjack5874]

This game is a 2 for 1 bundle, you get a great game and a great movie, to kill a mocking bird.

[@DCGMatthew1]

You get multiple great movies, shows and music videos on the TVs. You can also read a ton of comics in the bonus section of the menu, as well as videos, art, concepts, etc.

[@LW1773]

The Darkness has had a weird resurgence over the past couple months and I'm very happy about that.

[@mfkrwill]

i keep trying to call 2k a dork for not pushing a 3rd game Eventually it should work

[@matman000000]

Probably because it's finally playable on an emulator, and thank God for that. I've been waiting almost 10 years to play it at a normal framerate.

[@TheReZisTLust]

We need a 3rd or spin off

[@MrFlankSinatra]

It’s easy and a little unfair to call this game mediocre in 2023 when, at the time, there was nothing else like it in a sea of WW2 shooters. And the writing / voice acting was great. The first one’s a classic

[@stephenhughes5156]

Tbf, even in 2007, it was generally considered a 7-8/10 game. But you're right, still a classic. And very refreshing to go back and play compared to all the generic dumbed down games that come out nowadays.

[@Jormyyy]

This game was so weird but I freaking loved it. The sequel's gameplay is basically better in every way but the story of the first one is too damn good to pass up

[@guts-141]

It's so cell shaded though

[@DanielLopez-gg1du]

Dude that sequel has one of the most creative and imo fun to control/play takes on power fantasy fps games I’ve personally ever played. Nothing before or after it was the same. It did get a little boring after the second playthrough though. Too many forced cutscenes

[@grph1t3z]

Sequel mid.

[@Jormyyy]

@@grph1t3z the story was. The gameplay more than made up for it.

[@Jormyyy]

@@guts-141 the sequel? Yes it was and I thought it was cool looking.

[@spencercox4092]

I love the 'this human is evil' text that plays as the guy screams "blow up the orphanage!!" quite enlightening

[@superscatboy]

Using the darkness snake things to slaughter everyone in sight was such cool shit back in the day. Might have to replay this classic some time.

[@testingDEATH]

The Darkness is so underappreciated. Playing that shit at 12 years old will fuckin' change you. I will always love this game to death.

[@ollysherratt4220]

Genuinely one of my favourite games of all time tbh. Loved the second one too and I love how it adapted the comic book art style. I still hope that one day we will get a third

[@MilesThaMisfit]

This game is like if Peter Steele from Type O Negative got casted for Godfather or some other mobster movie, except he has H.P Lovecraft demon tentacles for some reason

[@SimonStrange]

The lack of Type O Negative on the soundtrack makes me sad.

[@MilesThaMisfit]

@@SimonStrange facts :(

[@necrolicious]

the first darkness was a masterpiece. I still recite quotes from it, whenever something is useless, or if anyone's late. "this useless cattle bores me....." "Too late Jackie, love dies". Shout outs to Crazy Abdul, if you played the game you know what I'm talking about.

[@thedewdster]

The atmosphere and style of this game is still incredibly enthralling. I literally loved jenny as well. I was completely blown away when she died like WTF

[@DCGMatthew1]

This is literally my favourite game and I own it on PS3 and Xbox 360. I replayed the game again a few weeks ago. One of, if not my favourite parts of the game is honestly when you go to Jenny's apartment for your birthday, which I don't know if that's sad or not, but it was genuinely sweet in a dark game like this. The comics are great as well. I still wish this game came to PC, I'd love to see if it'd work in RTX Remix when it releases. I plan on try the Riddick games since they're similar.

[@GojiraBiscuits.]

You can also buy it digitally or insert your 360 disk copy into the newer xbox consoles for an increased framerate and resolution. Absolutely amazing game I just played around a year ago because it was on sale for like $4. Love the backwards compatibility on the xbox series consoles.

[@mitchboland9591]

The story and world of The Darkness 1 combined with the combat of the second game and modern graphics would be one of the best games ever

[@octm1]

this is a certified classic game the story,the abilities, the gore system

[@gloomboy1639]

A criminally underrated franchise.

[@yamahadrag69]

Yo this game was awesome! Here's hoping you play Darkness 2. They got rid of the open world part so it's more streamlined *and* you can throw black holes at people! Also, the game goes to WW1 because that's where Jackie's grandpa got cursed with The Darkness. It's still a weird segment but, yeah.

[@KyleNornIreland]

Also ww1 just like 2 was Hell on Earth

[@mattstorer4638]

My favorite game growing up! For how much edge this game had the story was soooooo soul wrenching!

[@east-in-west]

I've been begging for the final game for so long. 2 left off on the biggest cliff hanger and that was the end of the series. Kills me.

[@riverandromeda6070]

Oh man. That reference to "How to kill a mockingbird" at 1:43 is fantastic. I haven't thought about that in probably 15 years. Truly, a man of culture.

[@adamg7984]

This game was sincerely incredible at it's time. I'll never forget how much I enjoyed it, it gave me a love for Starbreeze Studios, even though their next games weren't as great as their work on Butcher Bay and The Darkness. But yeah, if you liked Escape from Butcher Bay, this game is just like it and it's excellent. It's a really amazing experience for the time it was made. Very few games could come close to emulating reality as well as the Darkness did as New York really felt like New York or at least what you'd believe was New York if you'd never been there. And while it's not aged well, it still holds up okay and had some parts that were true to the comic it's based on.

[@kruterchraft454]

Oboeshoes playing a good game? Fact: Mike Patton voices the darkness

[@RippinToons]

Okay that’s rad I did not know that

[@J-T99]

Fun fact: this is a comic book game

[@Gatorade69]

Yes and No. It is very very loosely based on the comics and only share a couple of similarities, at least the original run. The character Jackie is way different. I mean they are comics and comics are crazy but "After the annihilation of the Franchetti Family, Jackie abandons the Mafia life and usurps the power in a South American country, the banana republic Sierra Muñoz, in hopes of establishing a new empire there. Jackie established a drug cartel in Sierra Muñoz with a Darkness-based narcotic made from his own bodily fluids, built an impenetrable fortress, formed an army of improved darklings and a lover, not knowing Kirchner controls her."

[@thedepressedgamer7375]

I can’t believe you got Jenny’s song wrong. Your dementia is hitting hard. Hopefully you won’t forget the sweater song by weezer.

[@sirshotty7689]

Peter Paul Mauser didn’t lose his eye just for you to call his gift to mankind a Luger. Anyways, loving this video series of revisiting old shooters.

[@Joshu2121a]

This and brutal legend are my favourite games of all time, still have their respected hard cover copies

[@DiegoSantos-yk9xv]

Brutal Legend was literally a perfect game.

[@TheManCalledDrHorse]

Such a good game. Certainly had its fair share of jank but goddamn the narrative was strong. Whoever got Mike Patton to do voice work deserves a medal.

[@Brian-ti7xm]

Darkness 1> for everything but melee combat basically This game got me through some sad lonely times as a teenager, as a adult it's a huge nostalgic ride and the art of it is truly spectacular

[@GenericProtagonist118]

I remember my older brother collecting the comics alot and by got they were... something. Lots of unnecessary violence, connections to other Top Cow (the company that made them) stories, Lara Croft was a canon character, the weird sticky artstyle that made with blood and gore look the consistency of mozzarella cheese, the edginess, the... *BILLIONS* of crossovers with other comics. I'm surprised people don't talk about them that much to be honest.

[@Reiveth]

The mini open zones and the side objectives and awesome, gives great immersion.

[@andyfmiranda]

Ill always love this game. Never gonna forget the final cutscene and the credits music, never

[@alexbutera2140]

This game was amazing! I still think about it to this day

[@HiJack3r]

"This looks real bad" "Not bad enough, let's fix that"

[@ColeThatcher]

Red Baron Supreme Deluxe Pizza for $5 is what makes it the best frozen pizza

[@synka5922]

god, the monty hall problem melts my brain everytime I try to figure out why it is like that

[@acebailey2478]

That 867-5305 callback was elite.

[@thoughtsontape4283]

One of my favorite games on the 360 such a gem

[@wraith23GT]

I kinda forgot about this game. It was one of my first games that I had for my PS3 and I remember I had a lot of fun with it.

[@IxNeedxMorphine]

Fun game, I would 100% love a simple remaster honestly.

[@SegaCDUniverse]

One of my favorite games ever, got a tattoo of it after I played it.

[@ferdinand12390]

This is one of my favourite games, it had some charm even with its flaws

[@frankieking3133]

I'm glad people remember this game.

[@spoopskeletal2873]

And there were lens flares and a motion blur, and the mockingbird was like "yeah right"

[@mathattaque]

3 seconds and in already laughing you know this is an oboeshoegames video

[@tombrady1848]

I’m ashamed to admit that while I wasn’t the one who pointed out that the WW1 pistols were Mausers, I’m definitely the type of person who would have if I’d been there 😅

[@TiernanWilkinson]

Same. The minute he said "Luger" I was like "No that's a C96"

[@channelmachinebroke9638]

I knew this comment would be here

[@Billtog]

When he said they should make a WWI game with weird demon powers and showed a game that wasn't Shadow Hearts Covenant I was shocked.

[@anderescobar4752]

"Jenny no! You had the biggest collection of public domain films!" had me DEAD. Not as much as Jenny tho

[@cattysplat]

The lighting engine in this game is fantastic for the time and loved how it played into the primary game mechanic (avoid/destroy the light to stay in darkness)

[@WhyHelloInternet]

If anyone was going to bring up How to Kill a Mockingbird, it would be Oboeshoes.

[@c.o.6414]

it’s damn near criminal that this game didn’t ever get a PC port! I had some hope when the chronicles of riddick games got their updated ports since they ran on the same tech, but alas. at least it’s still playable on x360s and ps3s, here’s to hoping that the emulation scene can help keep it alive in the future

[@chrisrichfield8906]

I plan on trying this tonight on my steam deck

[@SteeZy644]

You’re the best for remembering the long lost flash cartoon “How to Kill a Mockingbird”

[@deviantknight7009]

Love the game. Sitting there watching the movie with Jenny as a reprieve was just amazing right before the insanity of the mob battles and then the world war nightmares. Also Jackies grandpa is Ray Liotta from Goodfellas

[@tadeuszkolak4937]

Ray Liotta, fr??? That’s crazy!

[@songvevo123]

I loved when John Darkness from The Darkness says "It's Darkness Time!" and turns out the lights. Truly one of the most moments in gaming history.

[@arthurmorgan1177]

This is my absolute favorite game of all time, and I have been a fan of The Darkness for a very long time and always think of it as my number one favorite game

[@desertfox738]

When this game came out the graphics were insane at the time, and it had some really memorable moments. The Jenny scene was brutal and also that scene where you get your face drilled in first person lol.

[@GrahamMasters87]

One of the best games that stuck with me growing up. Such a good plot and story. "I remember my 19th birthday...that was the first time i died"

[@user-pv7cq9bp5j]

Literally my favorite game back in the day

[@OompaL0ompa]

Atmospherically, this is the best game i ever played

[@planetzdr]

Jackie's crazy ramblings while sitting in complete darkness had me losing it bro. 10/10 dialogue in this game.

[@help533]

Another game that deserves a remake

[@coachdorn7641]

Interestingly enough- I liked the concept of this plot enough to look into the comic books and thoroughly enjoyed them. Hope to see you play 2 soon since that one is more...strawberry jam filled.

[@IAmCaligvla]

Oh man, this game. Shame it's stuck on the X360/PS3, an absolute tragedy.

[@billymeeches3267]

I was just playing this earlier today! I love this game

[@garrymarta9435]

My all-time favorite game. Absolutely soul-wrenching.

[@spacefanproductions6254]

I want a spin off game about the darkness's buddy, Crazy Abdul.

[@AathielVaDaath]

I was amused, then you dropped the Monty Hall problem and I subscribed

[@stevenparent7886]

The Darkness is a fun, awesome, and unique game.

[@Simseh729]

to kill a mockingbird, what a legendary old internet movie

[@Camurgladius]

I remember this game from the era when we had game demos more often and experiencing it that way.

[@ikedogman1]

Mike Patton is the voice of the Darkness. Which makes it way more insane and way more awesome.

[@abdelali9279]

3:39 that's how they call me crazy Abdel

[@Eirik_Bloodaxe]

Man, I remember loving this game. The second one is really good too, but I kinda wish it kept to this realistic style as opposed to the cel shading. The Darkness as an entity is just dope. And it makes you feel like a god when you’re fighting.

[@NickAndWolf]

10/10 for to kill a mocking bird book report reference.

[@pup123434]

Hope you play “FEAR 2” one of these days, the beginning of the game has something exactly for you

[@kokoandrejic9191]

One of my best memorable gaming experience i had in this game

[@codysullivan2531]

Finally a review on a great game.

[@OriginalBongoliath]

Protagonist reminds me of Peter Steele from Type O Negative and checks all the boxes. -looks and dresses like main character -from New York City -goth -likes guns -loves women -loves European history -desires power from the underworld -revels in death

[@Jdnexx]

Crazy I just started playing this today

[@BugsyFoga]

“DARKNESS” - Xehanort

[@krischurch3763]

Before the vid even plays, just gonna say I love this game.

[@Daftanemone]

Oh my god I haven’t thought of that to kill a mockingbird flash animation in decades

[@TheOtaxephon]

I haven't seen a TKAMB reference since the early '00s. You're a legend.

[@kalebmiller101]

He said 8675305 instead of 8675309. That made me think I was insane

[@AintPopular]

The narrative pacing of this game i really like. Todays games dont have it

[@dr.rockso2703]

I love that whenever you shoot the soldiers in the ww1 section they make that weird big cat sound that the demons from tales from the crypt demon knight made whenever they got killed.

[@homerlanza]

*Starts watching video* "867-5305" Actually Oboe! *watches rest of video* Oh Oboe you cheeky rapscallion!

[@Blackobluna]

Red Baron is the frozen pizza GOAT, you take that back

[@cinemahorizon5109]

I LOVE THIS GAME!! YESSS! I'VE BEEN WANTING YOU TO PLAY THIS FOR SO LONG LESS GOOO

[@fusrohduck3200]

Man I forgot about the to kill a mockingbird battle scene. Vintage mid 2000s edge

[@GlidingZephyr]

If he didn't already have a girlfriend, that would be one hell of an introduction on a Tinder date: "Yeah, so...I'm a professional hitman for a Mafia family and I also have vaguely Satanic superpowers that I draw on, occasionally. If that makes you uncomfortable, I have no trouble turning around right now and dropping you back off at your place. Or, anywhere you want, really. It's cool." Seriously, though. I love the premise for this game and it's so darkly humorous that I regret missing it when it was still new.

[@chrisandrew7577]

Hello darkness my old friend... Fuck now that song is in my head

[@arthurmorgan1177]

Nah this game is 10/10 masterpiece

[@montgomeryfitzpatrick473]

The Darkness is the videogame version of all those girls that saw nightmare before Christmas at 12 and made it their whole personality